Nova Scotia opens its tournament schedule today with a doubleheader, playing the Rampage at 2 p.m. and taking on the Blizzard at 8 p.m.

Anderson and his staff picked the best junior-aged players available, with most coming from the East Coast Junior Lacrosse League, and have spent the last four weeks ironing out the kinks and learning the systems.

That’s a stark contrast with teams like the Blizzard and Rampage (Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League), Six Nations Rebels (Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League), and the WarChiefs (Iroquois Lacrosse Association), who play together in dedicated leagues for an entire season.

“This is really the end all, this is what the teams play for all season,” Anderson said.

“Some people might think of it as an advantage to pick (the best) players from all over, but it can be a disadvantage to try and get together on the same page,” he added. “But we have practices, we hold some exhibition games and do as best as we can.”

However, the tournament being in Halifax means that associated travel costs are much lower than in years past, allowing more of the province’s best players to participate.

“Having it at home really allows us to put together the best possible team we can to play in this tournament, so we’re really hoping that mixed with the home-town crowd really helps us out,” he said.

Billed as Canada’s national summer sport and the fastest game on two feet, the Founders Cup will provide a unique opportunity to expose local players at a national level, Anderson said.

It will also expose fans to the highest calibre of junior box lacrosse available.

“We’re trying to help grow the game here, we really want to expose people to the sport, so we’re hoping that a lot of people come out and check it out.”